Package and enclosed tray thereof



March 11, T. s; OYLSEN 2,588,409

PACKAGE AND ENCLOSED TRAY THEREOF Filed MaI'Ch 29, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET l v I /l l'/' Z0 /5 f .34 36 33 35.92

March 11, 1952 T, s, OLSEN 2,588,409

PACKAGE AND ENCLOSED TRAY THEREOF Filed March 29, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR Kid/w15. 6V. @f5/V.

Patented Mar. 11, 1952 PACKAGE AND ENCLOSED TRAY THEREOF Thomas S. Olsen, Pleasantville, N. Y., assignor to General Baking Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 29, 1949, Serial No. 84,240

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-72) v tober 14, 1947; and to packages employing the same.

An object of the present invention is to provide such a package and ,the tray thereof so constructed as to permit simple manipulation of parts thereof inside the wrapper without necessitating ingress through the latter, so that an end of the tray may be turned, folded or rolled up for foreshortening as the supply of slabs in the wrapper is depleted by slab removal at the other end of the package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structural embodiment which may be readily and economically constructed and allows ecient use and manipulation thereof.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and relation of elements which may be exemplied in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of an inverted package of sliced bread in which is enclosed an embodiment of the tray of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan View of a tray blank of the present invention prior to the folding up of the side flanges for reception therebetween of the stack of slabs or slices;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, with parts broken away and in section, of the package shown in Fig. 1 as it is normally rested on its side for removal of slices, indicating opening the package at the slot area in the bottom thereof and depicting removal of a slice through the slot;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 indicating the package after removal of a number Vof slices therefrom and manipulation of an end of the tray in accordance with the present invention to permit folding of the end of the Wrapper with crowding of slices toward the discharge s lot;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the right hand end of the package shown in Fig. 3, indicating tray manipulation to permit the foreshortening of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the tray in the condition shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a second tray manipulation to obtain the second foreshortening for crowding of slabs or slices farther toward the discharge slot;

Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive are various views of another manner of pa-ckage manipulation permitted by the tray structure of the present invention, Fig. 8 being a perspective view of a kwrapped sliced loaf of bread indicating emptiness of one end of the package due to removal of the first group of slices and movement of the remainder toward the slottedend of the package;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 8. indicating the next step of wrapper manipulation, showing the empty end being attened down onto the scored and uncovered end of the tray;

Fig. 10 is another perspective view taken from a position different from that from which Figs. 8 and 9 were taken, being more nearly an end on view, showing the next succeeding step of manipulation of the side flaps of the tray inward;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged end elevation of the package with the tray flaps completely folded inward as proposed in Fig. 10, showing a single line section through the wrapper, tray end and its folded iiaps in the area thereof where folded down together, and indicating in dot-dash lines position of the latter when turned up in the nal step;

Fig. l2 is an enlarged end elevation of the package shown in Fig. l1, showing the final step of turn up of the attened down Wrapper end, inturned tray flaps and end of the tray to foreshorten the package after removal of the first group of slices, showing in dot-dash lines position of parts when more of the tray is turned up;`

and

Fig. 13 is another perspective view of the package shown in Fig, 12, following removal of a second group of slices therefrom and similar wrapper and tray manipulation with turn up of a greater amount of the flattened portions thereof.

It has been found, in connection with the use cf the package structure of the above identified Patent No. 2,429,191, that it is desirable to foreshorten the package as slabs or slices are removed from within, and to accomplishY this without breaking the package seal at the ends or opening of the wrapper in any area other than at the discharge slot. The embodiment of the present invention shown in the drawings, wherein like numerals identify similar parts throughout, accomplishes this end in a desirable and effective manner. As therein shown, by way of example, a packaged, sliced loaf of bread I may comprise a plurality of slices II-iI seated within a tray I2 of relatively stiff material, such as paperboard, and a iiexible Vwrapper I3 which, as is usual, may be formed of waxed bread wrapping paper. f

The tray I2 may be made as a blank from flat paper-board, substantially in the shape shown in Fig. 2, to comprise a bottom panel I4 and two side wall ange panels I5, I5, flanking the former and respectively defined therefrom by crimp or fold lines Iii, I6. It is intended that the side panels I5, I5 are to be bent upwardly along fold lines I Ii, I5 to position them substantially at right angles to the bottom panel I4, is indicated in Fig. l. The sliced loaf of bread II! is then placed upon the bottom panel I4 between the side panels I5, I5,'and this assembly is wrapped in .the usual manner in a suitable wrapper, such as waxed paper, with `the longitudinal edges overlapped at I'I and each end I8 tucked in and'sealed closed in the orthodox manner.

In the embodiment of the tray I2 of the present invention shown in the drawings, the latter is preferably weakened fo-r break-away, or completely severed at 20, 20, along fold lines IB, I5. The bottom panel I4 preferably also is weakened or completely severed transversely along line 2l rso as to deiine a flap 22 which may be inged along a transverse fold line 23 to provide a discharge slot 24, with theflap forming a closure therefor. When the sliced loaf I 5 and its supporting trayy I2 are suitably enclosed in the wrapper I3, the latter has an area I3@ overlapping the flap, and which, if desired, may be adhesively secured thereto. `The' wrapper, of course, is either completely severed lalong the severed edges 2U, 20 and/or 2I of the flap 22 and sealed by suitable means, such as sealing tape, to be stripped -or broken in any suitable manner, or is weakened thereat for break-away with the flap.

In accordance with the present invention, the tray blank I2 is, as best shown in Fig. 2. provided with one or more transversely-extending, folddening score lines. One such score line is shown at 30 adiacent the end of the tray blank I2 opposite the other end in which the ilapclosed discharge slot is formed; If desired, and as is preferred, a second similar transverselyextending score line'3I Vis also provided. Score line 30 defines on the bottom panel I4 a portion 32 of denite width, and the portion 33 of the bottom panel defined between score lines 30 and 3! is preferably of substantially the same, or, if

desired, slightly less width than portion 32, so si that the end of the tray may be lapped and overlapped back upon the tray proper yfor foreshortening the same should the portions defined by the score lines 30 and 3l be manipulated with the tray blank in the at condition shown in Fig. 2. However, as indicated above, in the completed package the side wall panels I 5, I5 are positioned substantially at right angles to the bottom panel I4, and the present invention permits this tray foreshortening with those side panels in those positions in the following manner.

The ends of the transversely-extending score line 35 which extend across the side panels I5,

I5 are substantially weakened for ready breakaway. For examplaeach side panel I5 may be DI ...n

completely cut through along score line 30 except in one spot 34, so that with break-away at that spot side panel portion or fiap may be freed from side panel portion or fiap 36. Similar weakening along transversely-extending score line 3i is provided for like purposes. Although it is possible to practice the present invention with complete severance of the score lines 3l! and 3| in the portions thereof which cross the side panels I5, I5, some difliculty may be in had in handling or manipulating the tray at the time of packaging with the flaps 35 and 33 of the side panels I5, I5 completely freed from each other. This difficulty may be overcome by temporary attachment, such as by small stickers or a readily breakable tape. However, for simplicity in production and use of the structure shown in Fig. 2, preferably small areas at 34-34 are left unsevered, with otherwise complete severance of the side panels I 5,` I5 along score lines 30 and 3l.

In the use of the present invention, with manipulation of tray portions permitted by the present invention, successive slice removal will be had through the discharge slot 24. This will free from the package the slices II in the vicinity of the discharge slot 24, and with closure of the ap 22 and the covering wrapper area |30. the remaining slices may be shaken down to the vicinity of the discharge slot, with ,an vattendant formation of an empty space in the end of the package opposite the end in which theY discharge slot is formed. This space may permit, in handling of the partially empty package, tip-over of slices therein interfering with the intended subsequent slice discharge. This is readily overcome by foreshortening of the package, which .is permitted by the present tray structure Ain the following manner.

After a number of the slices II have been removed from the package to provide an empty space in the'end thereof in the vicinity of score lines 3G and 3I, one may break away the side panel aps 35, 35 Without opening the sealed Wrapper' by applying opposing pressure on those aps through the wrapper in the manner indicated in Fig. 5. As a result, the flaps 35, 35 will be broken away from flaps 36, 36 at the spots 34, 34 so that flaps 35, 35 may be folded inwardly a distance suflicient to pass on the inside of flaps 36, 36 with fold-up of the bottom panel portion 32 to the position indicated in Fig. 4. The resulting freed portion of the end of the wrapped may then be folded up in any suitable manner, such as indicated at 3'I in Fig. 4, so as completely to foreshorten the package snugly. to accommodate the depleted stack of slices therein. Further removal of slices II in the vicinity of the discharge slot 24 may then result in the structure shown in Fig. 4, after which a similar manipulation is performed.

Obviously, such manipulation would include the'application of pressure on the outsides of iiaps 3S, 36 so as to break them away at 34, 34 from the main portions of the side panels I5, I5 to permit additional fold-up of the tray end to the dot-dash line position indicated in Fig. 4, and. of course, such action would be followed by a further folding up of the empty end of the wrapper. Y The various steps in the foreshortening of the tray are graphically shown in Figs. 6 and '7. In Fig. 6, it is indicated that the application of pressure to the aps 35 not only broke them away from naps 3f, 33, but positioned the former inward of the latter for fold-up of the bottom panel portions 32, with the parts disposed in the relative positions shown in Fig. 6. The second foreshortening step is shown in Fig. '7, wherein it is indicated that application of pressure on the outsides of flaps 36, 36 permitted them to be swung to the insides of the major portions of the side panels I5, I5, and it will be understood that with this second folding or lapping back of the end of the tray, the bottom panel portion 32 now forms a ller piece which snugs the remaining slices toward the discharge slot 24. It will be further understood that the application of the breaking pressure to the pairs of iiaps 35, 35 and 36, 36 respectively may be suiiicient to cause first the flans 35, 35 to be lapped completely back upon the bottom panel portion 32 to be folded up therewith. Similar action relative to the ilaps 36, 3B will result in complete lapping back thereof upon the bottom panel portion 33 so that the folded bottom panel portion 32 and flans 35, 35 may be -2 folded flatly down thereon with desired foreshortening of the tray, and to provide at the folded end thereof a iiat roll of material, similar to that provided at the emptied ends of collapsible tubes with the manipulation so commonly empty space in the other end above the tray bottom panel and portion 32. With the package then resting upon its bottom, as indicated in Fig. 8, the operator may then pull or crush the empty portion of the Wrapper I3 down upon the end of the tray uncovered by the removal of slices, or,

in other words, down upon tray portion 32, such as at 38, as indicated in Fig. 9. The next step in the manipulation may then be application of pressure to the outer sides of the two side flaps 35-35 of the tray I2 to break them free from the remaining portions of the tray side flanges I5, I5, as proposed in Fig. 5, with portions of the flattened or crushed end of the Wrapper I3, of course, being turned inward therewith, as indicated in Fig. 10. The relative positions of the parts after this second folding step are more clearly indicated in Fig. 1l. In the latter, dotdash line 33 indicates a final position of parts when the last folding step is performed, which is shown in full lines in Fig. 12. This constitutes a turning up of the folded parts of the end of tray I2 and the crushed end of the wrapper I3 along the fold line 3!) extending transversely of the tray. As as result, the package is desirably foreshortened with the slices remaining therein snugly held together to ll up the slotted end and assuring presence of slices adjacent the withdrawal slot 24.

In accordance with the procedure proposed in Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive, withdrawal of a second group of slices through the withdrawal slot 24 may be accomplished in a similar manner to provide in the package a second uniilled space at the folded end above the second bottom panel portion 33 of the tr-ay I2. When this is done, the folded-up end portion 39 will be returned down to the plane of the remaining portion of the tray, such as to the position indicated in Fig. l1, and the additional empty portion of the Wrapper I3 pulled or crushed down, as it was at 38, to overlie both the bottom panel portions 32 and 33 of the tray. Tray side flaps 36, 35 Will then be folded inwardly, as in the case of inward folding of side aps 35, 35 proposed in Fig. 10. Then both bottom portions 32 and 33 of the tray are folded up with the side flaps 35, 35 and 33, Stand the wrapper folds which haves been flattened or crushed down therewith, to produce the further foreshortening package shown in Fig. 13. As a result, the edge of the folded portions of tray and wrapper are lapped up substantially to the dotdash position t3 indicated in Fig. 12, shown in full lines in Fig. 13.

In any event, regardless of the manner of manipulation adopted by the user of the package featured by the tray of the present invention, it will be readily seen that the objects set forth above and made apparent from the preceding description are eiiiciently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments -of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter c-ontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A substantially flat tray blank of the type described comprising a rectangular piece of cardboard defined into three elongated panels by a pair of substantially parallel, longitudinallyextending, fold-defining score lines so that the side edges may be turned up to provide side wall panels flanking a bottom panel, said bottom panel being provided at one end with a discharge slot of such width longitudinally of said blank and dimension as to accommodate edgewise discharge of at least one of a plurality of slabs of appreciable width and thickness adapted to be rested edgewise transversely on said bottom panel, said three panels having at the end opposite the slotted end of said bottom panel a pair of substantially parallel score lines extending transversely across all three of said panels with the distance between said score lines being substantially equal to the distance between the outermost one and the adjacent end of the blank, said transverse score lines being of a fold-dening type in the portions extending across said bottom panel and being of a weakened 'breakaway type in the portions extending across said side wall panels.

2. A package comprising, in combination; a tray of relatively stiff paperboard-like material carrying thereon a plurality of product units successively to be removed from one end of the package and including an elongated bottom panel, and a pair of side wall iiange panels flanking and hingedly connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel along substantially parallel, laterally-spaced, longitudinally-extending scoredened lines with said side panels standing up substantially normal to said bottom panel along the sides of the product units, one end of each of said bottom panel and said side panels at the other end of said package having a plurality of continuing fold-defining, substantially parallel lines extending transversely substantially thereacross to deneat that end a plurality of banks of three transversely aligned foldable bottom and side panel portions with banks inward of the end bank being at least as Wide as the latter to permit a progressive folding up of that end of said tray as the product units are successively removed from the other end of said package, the portion of each of said transverse lines which extend across said bottom panel being of the fold-deinng hinge type to permit the progressive fold-up thereof, said side panels having'the portions of each of said transverse lines extending thereacross of a character permitting ready: separation of the foldable side portions from: the remainderof said .side panels by application of inward pressure on said side panel portionsl with the latter remaining hinged to said Vbottompanel; and an outer iiexible Wrapper enclosing said tray `and the product units supported ithereon openable at the first-mentioned 8 end of said packageforsuccessive .removal of said product units and permitting application through its side walls of the inward pressure to the separable and Afoldable `side panel portions so that said foldable bottom panel portions can be turned up progressively with progressive removal of product units from the other package end to foreshorten said tray at that foldable end Without necessitating ingress through the wrapper at the latter end.

THOMAS S. OLSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the i'lle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,037,839 Wagenseller Apr. 21, 1936 20 2.429.191 Olsen Oct. 14, 1947 

